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Recent research from the Association of Investment Companies suggests that 78% of investors plan to make use of their ISA allowance this year. 40% plan to use only the shares element , representing a 1% rise since last year, while just over a quarter plan to use both their cash ISA and investment ISA allowance, again representing a 1% increase on the previous year. more

A recent survey conducted by NS&I indicates that the demographic of ISA savers has undergone quite a few changes in recent years. A survey of over 1,200 UK adults revealed some interesting insights into the behavior of savers in the past few years. more

National Ethical Investment Week gets underway

19 May 2008 / by Rachael Stiles

Financial services companies across the UK are holding events to support the first ever National Ethical Investment Week (NEIW), which kicked off yesterday.

The UK Social Investment Forum (UKSIF), the event's organisers, have sent out more than 50,000 packs of promotional posters and leaflets to financial advisors and other companies looking to encourage ethical investment.

A range of financial service providers are taking part, including Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), to highlight the importance of making ethically aware decisions, and to raise awareness amongst investors and IFAs of the 'green' products that are available.

The highlight of the week (May 18th – 24th) will be a parliamentary reception at the House of Commons on Wednesday, where the guest speaker will be Mike O'Brien, Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions.

The various events planned throughout the week include a financial advisor seminar hosted by AIFA and UKSIF on May 21st in London, while Bristol-based ethical banking provider Triodos will be taking savings accounts customers on a bus tour of the city's most inspiring ethical businesses.

Information leaflets will be handed out up and down the country carrying the tagline "Where's Your Money Growing?" which will urge people to consider what happens to their money once they invest it, and that they could be using it for a good cause while still getting high returns.

Penny Shepherd, chief executive of UKSIF, said: "Consumer interest in green and ethical investment has increased year-on-year for the last five years, and along with interest in organic and eco-friendly products, looks set to escalate as consumers realise that they can invest their money in ways that benefit society and the environment, and still make as good a profit as they would with traditional investments."

A number of high-profile figures have spoken out in favour of National Ethical Investment Week, such as TV presenter June Sarpong, who said: "Ethical investment has the potential to make a real difference to big issues like human rights, global poverty and climate change. Like buying organic food or fair-trade goods, it's the everyday decisions we make that can have a positive impact on the world around us."